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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Hilarious Character-Driven Novel, May 30, 2005
Anti-heroines work really well in a novel if the author can present them in such a way that the reader still loves them regardless of their many quirks, mistakes and shortcomings. Lee Nichols, author of "Hand Me Down" definitely possesses such talent - her characters in both of her books have been flawed, but highly lovable.
In this latest offering, we have Annie (Anne). She is tired of living in the shadow of her two older sisters- one is a famous swimsuit model and the other is a bestselling author. Not only that but her life growing up as the youngest child has always been difficult. She often ended up with the oldest and most worn items.
As a result, Annie doesn't like anything old or used, and has a very hard time committing. Now 29 years old, she is vaguely happy with her boyfriend Rip, a decent job (working as an Office Manager for Rip), and gets to spend time with her sisters and their children. However, she isn't quite satisfied with her life. Especially when Ian, her childhood crush (and older sister's ex-boyfriend) keeps showing up. It soon becomes clear that Annie isn't over her "crush" on Ian. But she refuses to settle with one of her sisters' ex-boyfriends. Plus, he isn't interested in her anyway... he has a fiance, right?
"Hand-Me-Down" was a often hilarious and enjoyable read. Lee Nichols manages to really get us in the head of the main character. Although the plot seems at a sort of stand-still through a lot of the book, it is still fun to read because of the funny and endearing scrapes/situations that Annie gets herself into. She is definitely one of those characters that "make" the book.
As with this author's last book, the reading was fresh, fun and kept me turning pages. Without giving any spoilers, however, the only thing I was a little disappointed about with this book was the romance aspect, which was a bit on the bland side.
Overall however, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a wonderful, hilarious and cute novel with great characters. I'm eager to see what this author comes up with next!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging story with great characters, August 22, 2005
The Olsen sisters are aptly named after the Bronte sisters. There is Charlotte, the oldest and sexy former supermodel; Emily, the middle sister who as an author cut her teeth on pornography; and Anne, named after the "forgotten" Bronte sister, who at 29, has held a series of dead end jobs. Her entire childhood was spent obtaining hand me down clothes and toys. She's especially despondent over the naked, hairless, one-armed Malibu Barbie she inherited oh so long ago, that continues to be the bane of her existence. In adulthood, she has an aversion to anything not new. She won't even eat a bag of chips at dad's house if it's already open. Unsatisfied with her current relationship with Rip, but willing to stick it out so she's not alone, she runs into Charlotte's high school beau, Ian. She had a secret crush on Ian, and even invited him to her 7th grade dance.
Ian, now engaged, and owner of a business Anne cannot condone or accept (an antique shop), forms a friendship with Anne, and the two start a Thursday night ritual of cocktails. After meeting his fiancé Helene, Anne finds herself jealous, and Rip realizes that his "polliwog" may have eyes for another. As Ian and Anne spend more and more time together, and he's supportive of her quest to develop a parcel of land for open space, she discovers that she does indeed have feelings for him, but is unsure if she can settle for a hand-me-down boyfriend, especially one that worked his way through the Olsen sisters.
Nichol's latest is an engaging and very amusing story of one woman's quest to find herself and carve out her own path, as she compares herself to the many accomplishments of her older sisters. At time's Anne is a bit over the top (for instance, the whole chip thing). The poignant, humorous, and well-written story will resonate with anyone with an older sibling.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hand Me Down, May 7, 2006
I really enjoyed this book-the main character was great!!! I rooted for her grandiose plans.
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